E39 Nimzo-Indian Defense: Classical Variation, Berlin Variation, Pirc Variation
E39 holds two named lines, all under the name Nimzo-Indian Defense. It leaves E38 (Nimzo-Indian Defense: Classical Variation, Berlin Variation) with 5.dxc5 O-O. When the reference line ends, White is one pawn up on material. Of all other reference positions, the board of E32 (Classical Variation) comes closest, seven squares apart.
| # | White | Black |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | d4 | Nf6 |
| 2 | c4 | e6 |
| 3 | Nc3 | Bb4 |
| 4 | Qc2 | c5 |
| 5 | dxc5 | O-O |
Moves only E39 plays
Same as E38 up to 4...c5, then:
- 5.dxc5 The d-pawn takes the pawn on c5, covering b6 and d6.
- 5...O-O Black castles kingside, opening a line for the queen on d8, guarding the pawn on g7.
Lines filed under E39
Both share their first ten plies, the whole reference line.
| Name | After the shared start | Plies | At the end |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nimzo-Indian Defense: Classical Variation, Berlin Variation, Pirc Variation | (the shared start itself) | 10 | White +1, Black castled |
| Nimzo-Indian Defense: Classical Variation, Berlin Variation, Macieja System | 6.a3 Bxc5 7.Nf3 b6 | 14 | Black castled |
Nimzo-Indian Defense: Classical Variation, Berlin Variation, Macieja System
- 6.a3 The a-pawn advances to a3, covering b4, opening a line for the rook on a1, attacking the bishop on b4.
- 6...Bxc5 The bishop on b4 takes the pawn on c5.
- 7.Nf3 The knight leaves g1 for f3, opening a line for the rook on h1.
- 7...b6 The b-pawn advances to b6, covering a5 and c5, opening a line for the bishop on c8.
The road to E39
- 1.d4 … 3...Bb4four earlier stops: A40, A45, A50, E20
- 4.Qc2E32 Classical Variation
- 4...c5E38 Berlin Variation
- 5...O-OE39
The position after 5...O-O
White has brought out the knight on c3; Black the knight on f6 and bishop on b4. White has a half-open d-file; Black a half-open c-file. White could capture with Qxh7+. White is to move and has 32 legal moves.
Closest boards in other codes
| Code | Line | Differs on |
|---|---|---|
| E46 | Nimzo-Indian Defense: Normal Variation | seven squares: d1, c2, e2, e3, d4, c5, c7 |
| E23 | Nimzo-Indian Defense: Spielmann Variation, Romanovsky Gambit | eight squares: c2, b3, c6, b8, e8, f8, g8, h8 |
| E20 | Nimzo-Indian Defense | nine squares: d1, c2, d4, c5, c7, e8, f8, g8 … |
| E22 | Nimzo-Indian Defense: Spielmann Variation | nine squares: c2, b3, d4, c5, c7, e8, f8, g8 … |
| E33 | Nimzo-Indian Defense: Classical Variation, Zurich Variation | nine squares: d4, c5, c6, c7, b8, e8, f8, g8 … |
| E34 | Nimzo-Indian Defense: Classical Variation, Noa Variation | nine squares: d4, c5, d5, c7, d7, e8, f8, g8 … |
| E47 | Nimzo-Indian Defense: Normal Variation | nine squares: d1, f1, c2, e2, d3, e3, d4, c5 … |